Cauvery row: Tamil Nadu leaders slam Centre for backing Karnataka

Chennai: Accusing the BJP government at the Centre of becoming a mouthpiece of Karnataka by refusing to accept the Supreme Court verdict to constitute the Cauvery Management Board, political leaders in Tamil Nadu said the Centre had belittled the judicial system of the country by betraying Tamil Nadu.

The leaders also said it is now clear that the Union government is behind Karnataka’s refusal to give water to TN and supporting all its illegal actions and flouting of the SC order. They also asked the Union government to reconsider its stand and withdraw its affidavit in support of Karnataka.

The ruling AIADMK and Opposition DMK alleged that the Centre had refused to accept the SC verdict with an eye on Karnataka Assembly polls scheduled in 2018. DMK chief M. Karunanidhi said unable to find a foothold in Tamil Nadu, BJP has resorted to such a move with the hope of at least winning the Karnataka polls. The Union government had echoed the views of Union Ministers belonging to Karnataka, he added. The DMK leader also demanded a special session of the Assembly or an all party meeting to oppose the decision of the centre unitedly.

AIADMK spokesperson C.R. Saraswathi said usually Karnataka “betrayed” Tamil Nadu on the Cauvery issue, but “why is the Centre doing it now?” “This is the people’s issue. What is the need for politics? Congress and BJP are keen on capturing power in Karnataka and are not bothered about the farmers of TN,” she told reporters.

Leader of Opposition M.K. Stalin demanded the resignation Union Minister Pon. Radhakrishnan and all the 37 MPs of AIADMK if they were not able to put pressure on Centre to form the CMB.

PMK founder S. Ramadoss said there is no law curbing the two-member bench from pronouncing a verdict on an pending before a three-member bench. Disputing  the Centre’s affidavit that CMB could be formed only after an Act of Parliament, he said all the river water boards formed earlier had been done so without an Act in Parliament.

MDMK leader Vaiko said the affidavit of the BJP government is a clear proof that it is behind all the illegal activities of Karnataka.

CPI(M) state secretary G. Ramakrishnan too echoed Vaiko’s views. CPI state secretary R. Muthrarasan said the Centre’s partisan act would endanger the nation’s unity and integrity.

Meanwhile, leaders of the Tamil Nadu unit of BJP  spoke differently on two Union cabinet ministers from Karnataka attending the all party meeting called by the Karnataka government on Cauvery issue with state president Dr Tamilisai Soundarajan criticising their participation while her colleague and national secretary H. Raja finding nothing wrong in it.